Thalidomide : Before Using

Thalidomide - Systemic

Brand Names

THALOMID Thalidomide *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For thalidomide, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to thalidomide. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Thalidomide must not be using by pregnant women . If this drug is taken early in pregnancy - within the first 8 weeks "2 months ", your baby may be born dead or with serious birth defects. Even a single dose - 1 capsule taken by a pregnant woman can cause severe birth defects. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant. Men who are taking thalidomide must always use condoms when having sexual contact with women who may become pregnant, even if they have undergone successful vasectomy.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known if thalidomide passes into breast milk. Be sure you have discussed the chance and benefits of using this drug with your family doctor.

Use for Children

A small number of children have been safely treated with thalidomide. Be sure to discuss with your child's family doctor the use of this drug in child.

Elderly care

This drug has been tested in a limited number of diseaseds up to 90 years of age and has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems in elderly people than it does in adults people.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking thalidomide, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Alcohol
Barbiturates
Central nervous system - CNS depressants - drug that causes drowsiness
Chlorpromazine - Thorazine
Reserpine - Serpalan
Tricyclic antidepressants - drug for depression Use of these medication with thalidomide may make you more drowsy

Chloramphenicol - Chloromycetin
Cisplatin - Platinol
Dapsone - Avlosulfon
Didanosine - Videx
Ethambutol - Myambutol
Ethionamide - Trecator-SC
Hydralazine - Apresoline
Isoniazid - Nydrazid
Lithium - Eskalith, Lithobid
Metronidazole - Flagyl
Nitrofurantoin - Furadantin, Macrodantin
Nitrous oxide
Phenytoin - Dilantin
Stavudine - d4T, Zerit
Vincristine - Oncovin
Zalcitabine - HIVID Use of these medication with thalidomide may increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy - tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet or may make it worse

Carbamazepine - Tegretol
Griseofulvin - Grifulvin V
Human immunodeficiency virus - HIV-protease inhibitors - indinavir " Crixivan ", nelfinavir " Viracept ", ritonavir " Norvir ", saquinavir " Fortovase, Invirase "
Rifabutin - Mycobutin
Rifampin - Rifadin Use of these medication with certain birth control agents may keep the birth control agents from help you; effective birth control is required for women taking thalidomide who are able to bear children

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of thalidomide. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Decreased white blood cell counts
Epilepsy or risk of seizures
Peripheral neuropathy Thalidomide may make these conditions worse